“J. N.” Grange, Co. Antrim, wishes to know the meaning of James 5:14-15. In this passage the assembly is viewed according to the divine idea, as furnished with divinely appointed elders, for whom the sick man can send in his moment of need and pressure. It is evident that the sickness is in connection with God’s governmental dealings. “The prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” God in government visits sin with His chastening hand, as in 1 Corinthians 11:30; and in answer to the believing prayer of those who are in communion with His mind in the matter, He removes the chastening, and grants restoration. If it be asked, “How far does this passage apply now?” We reply, in proportion as you exhibit the divine conditions may you count upon the divine results; and, in every case, the rule is, “According to your faith, so be it unto you.” Nothing can be more contemptible than human assumption and pretension, where there is not an atom of divine power or divine principle.
The above reply bears in some measure upon the question of our Maidstone correspondent “M. T.” as to 1 John 5:16. A brother may commit a sin of such a character as to preclude all thought of praying for it—a sin which, instead of calling for intercession and prayer for his restoration, evokes only righteous indignation from all who have the Spirit of God in them. There are sins which God visits with death, and there are sins which He visits with illness, and in reference to which He hears the prayer of faith. If we are walking in the energy of the new nature, we shall understand these things.